Miss Thornwick waves a hand dismissively at your thanks.

[b]"Don't thank me, girl. I don't own this place. Gerta does. I'm just her accountant, come by every ten days or so to keep the ledgers in order."[/b] She gestures vaguely toward the door. [b]"But I'd wager she'll give you that job. She doesn't bring folks back here to my office unless she's already made up her mind about 'em."[/b]

When you mention the pendant being a family heirloom, she nods slowly, her expression softening just a fraction.

[b]"Fair enough. Sentimental value's worth more than gold sometimes."[/b] She pauses, tapping her quill thoughtfully. [b]"Though, I'd still recommend you get it appraised properly. I've got a friend who's a collector, very experienced with arcane jewelry. You should bring it to him either way. Never hurts to know exactly what you're carrying around your neck, especially if it's got magical properties you're not aware of."[/b]

At your request for a map, she sets down her quill and begins rummaging through one of the desk drawers. After a moment of shuffling papers and muttering under her breath, she pulls out a small, somewhat worn map and unfolds it on the desk.

[b]"Here,"[/b] she says, pointing to a spot on the map with one perfectly manicured finger. [b]"We're right here. Thornwood, the port city. A few miles south of Thundrastone up north."[/b] Her finger traces upward on the map to show a hexagonal walled city, then continues even further. [b]"And that's the Forever Keep, on a small island. Where the Queen resides, rules over both cities."[/b]

Your eyes trace over the map, taking in the region. You can see the general layout of the area, various towns and landmarks marked in faded ink. And then, with a sinking feeling in your stomach, you find Valerith.

The scale of the map makes it clear. You're not just far from home.

You're very far from home.

Over six hundred miles, by your estimate.

[hr]
[b]What do you do?[/b]